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In America today, no Black person, except the selfish or
irrational, can claim neutrality in the quest for Black liberation nor fail to
consider the implications of the events taking place in our society. Given the
necessity for committing ourselves to the struggle for freedom, we as Black
Americans practicing in the field of social welfare, set forth this statement
of ideals and guiding principles.

If a sense of community awareness is a precondition to
humanitarian acts, then we as Black social workers must use our knowledge of
the Black community, our commitments to its self-determination, and our helping
skills for the benefit of Black people as we marshal our expertise to improve
the quality of life of Black people. Our activities will be guided by our Black
consciousness, our determination to protect the security of the Black
community, and to serve as advocates to relieve suffering of Black people by
any means necessary.

Therefore, as Black social workers we commit ourselves,
collectively, to the interests of our Black brethren and as individuals
subscribe to the following statements:

I regard as my primary obligation the welfare of
the Black individual, Black family, and Black community and will engage in
action for improving social conditions.

I give precedence to this mission over my
personal interest.

I adopt the concept of a Black extended family
and embrace all Black people as my brothers and sisters, making no distinction
between their destiny and my own.

I hold myself responsible for the quality and
extent of service I perform and the quality and extent of service performed by
the agency or organization in which I am employed, as it relates to the Black
community.

I accept the responsibility to protect the Black
community against unethical and hypocritical practice by any individual or
organizations engaged in social welfare activities.

I stand ready to supplement my paid or
professional advocacy with voluntary service in the Black public interest.

I will consciously use my skills, and my whole being as an instrument
for social change, with particular attention directed to the establishment of
Black social institutions.